#and it truly shows how much they love eachother they way they can empathise so well with any one of their fans

[jisungshotfirst]

vity being the cutest little family:

+ family portraits

[cherry-treelane]

Okay but I wasn't even thinking about the drowning together part of free churro but like

We know from canon Monica had Fi taken away from her "the first time" bc she was hooked on oxy ( and she only mentions Fiona when she talks about it) and we know they were at one point homeless and Also that Fiona knew how to forge documents like doctors notes at nine so yeah they were drowning together ( but also Fiona was a child and to a point reliant on them to not end up in cps so they were keeping each other from Drowning drowning out of survival in Fiona's part) anyways I'm feral about them

forgot that some of this canonically happened but oh my god. this adds so much weight. "they were drowning together" THEY WERE DROWNING TOGETHER!!

Frank was deep in his addiction, Monica was submerged in her depression, and Fiona was trying to claw her way out of the bottomless hole of pressurising survival to no avail due to a lack of support. This is the thread that connected the three of them and led to a, albeit extremely resentful on Fiona's end, shared understanding of suffering. Despite the fact that the rest of the Gallagher kids also went through hell, they had a stable presence to rely on for love (Fiona), and they all helped eachother and knew they could rely on eachother. This shows how the "shared suffering" between Frank, Monica and Fiona in the Early Years heavily opposes to the dynamic of Fiona and the kids: in the Early Years, despite the fact that all three parties were in immense emotional distress, none of them could rely on eachother. The only stability in that type of situation was derived from Fiona and expressed through her being a caretaker of her parents— and even that was limited as she devoted more time to the kids and she was very young herself, she couldn't possibly save two grown adults from the shackles of their mental illness.

Otherwise, it was like two drowning people (Frank and Monica) screaming at another drowning person who is far out of reach (Fiona) to save all three of them. There was little to no trust, or devotion, or love, or care— unlike the Gallagher siblings. Of course, there was plenty of it from Fiona! She really tried her best. But it wasnt reciprocated by Frank and Monica so it met a dead end, showing how the elder Gallaghers (Frank, Monica, Fiona) dynamic is a foil to the Gallagher siblings' dynamic (Fiona and the kids). In the first dynamic, the only person looking out for anyone or showing any sort of effort to sustain the fragile balance of the family was Fiona. One little girl cannot repair something so deeply broken. This differs vastly to the second dynamic, where everyone is contributing somehow to the best of their ability and they actually have eachothers backs— particularly highlighted in season one where they all chip in for the bills, protect eachother, etc...

Something strikingly sad is that Fiona is actually quite separate and isolated in her drowning despite being witness to both her parents' and her siblings' as it relates to no-one else in the family. Frank and Monica connected on numerous occasions on the shared basis of reckless substance abuse, while the kids connected on the shared basis of all being victims of neglect and abuse— but no one could truly level with Fiona and comprehend the pull of the "forced primary caretaker" ocean that was drowning her. No-one really fully understands how she feels or what she experiences. This explains a lot regarding the treatment of Fiona and how everyone in the show — both her parents and her siblings, are quick to judge her, to criticise and mistreat; it's because she's misunderstood and no-one else can truly empathise with her position. It's easier to pass judgement on something that is difficult to grasp, and the entirety of Fiona's situation and what she represented wasnt always understood by her family, casting her aside. It's easier for them to all believe in the version of Fiona thats externally provided, as being confronted with the depth and uniqueness of her pain discomforts them and unsettlingly contradicts their comforting view of her as constantly strong— leading Fiona to sometimes be shut out and left in her drowning as everyone is under the impression that she'll manage to pull herself out like she has done so for years.

The idea that Fiona can simply withstand anything and everything with no help led to the inevitable abuse and abandonment of her by others on many occasions. When she behaves a certain way or steps a toe out of line, it's immediately put under immense scrutiny as everyone around her interprets it as "unshakable Fiona isn't acting like herself, so clearly she's turning into a bad person!" when in reality it's very fitting for a childhood filled with traumatic memories that nobody can recall except for herself (another example of how she was isolated in her struggle and then left to carry baggage which impacted future decisions and behaviour).

It's really interesting to me, because it gives me the metaphorical image of Frank and Monica being eachothers temporary "life jackets" (in the sense that they seek eachother out at their worst to fuel short-term excitement that pulls them out of the "drowning"), and Fiona being a permanent one for the kids. She makes sure they're just above the surface while simultaneously being pulled further down with no-one to save her. It really goes with Steve's plane oxygen mask analogy in season 1, where he insists that she needs to "put her mask on!" (put herself first for once). Its clear that Fiona tries to save those around her to validate herself and end up recieving the deserved parental love that will save her, just to realise that the only person that could really save her was herself. Its simultaneously the tragedy and success of Fiona Gallagher.

[inoceaned]

To all the people who attended the protests in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, don’t you think that the WHOLE of Australia would have taken your protest more seriously and actually RESPECT your cause if you all wore masks and physically distanced yourselves?

Now I do empathise with people who are unemployed, financially struggling and are facing detrimental mental health issues. I am so sorry for the people who have lost thousands, their businesses and homes. I am so sorry to those who, because of the lockdowns, feel like they have lost everything and struggle to remain hopeful for the future. I really am sorry. And I guarantee that most people are sorry. I have cried for hours because of Australia’s economy and what it means for Australian citizens and how life will be different. It is scary and lockdowns predominantly have a negative impact on businesses and especially the small businesses.

It’s true, the Australian government is no longer releasing data or statistics on the suicide rate which continues to grow. Psychologists are booked out for months and people are struggling to get medical help. To the people who protested because they lost a loved one or they themselves have struggled, I am sorry. And I hear you.

I have been trying to understand every reason that people went out to protest. I genuinely wish that every single person, whether you support the lockdowns or are against it, try to gain as much knowledge as you can about both sides or both perspectives of the argument. I said not long ago that if the Australian state government put us in lockdown that people would be out protesting, maybe even riots. I was somewhat right. I can understand why some people protested and I can sympathise with you.

However, I am not happy. To the people fighting for Australia’s freedom, to “free the people”, I have a question for you, why did you not want to wear masks or try to socially distance yourselves from eachother? Okay. Let’s pretend that a few of you have Covid and spread it to other people. I know that some people who attended the protest would not get tested, would not follow the guidelines and would spread it to other people without remorse. You throw stats at us regarding the death rate and whatnot, I hear you. But what about all the people who are imunocompromised? What about the thousands of people in hospital who are sick? What about the millions of elderly people who have weaker immune systems? The people in nursing homes? I have heard some of you say “well they’re old anyway”. These people have contributed to making Australia the country it is today. They have created jobs, businesses and things that we don’t imagine living without. Even if you don’t agree with wearing masks and social distancing guidelines can’t you see how the rest of Australia would take you more seriously, sympathise with you, if you acknowledge that you care about others. Because from the perspective of those who are angry, furious at you for protesting, your actions just look selfish and ignorant.

Now I have been yelled at for wearing a mask, I have been spat at by a woman for wearing a mask. I was at work, keeping to myself, working in retail. If people chose to wear a mask to stop the spread of a virus that shows respect for others. If you didn’t wear a mask and spread Covid to others, possibly resulting with them dying, would you not feel guilty? If it was your mother, your father? Sibling? Children? Friend? Would you not feel bad if they died of Covid and it was because you didn’t want to wear a mask. It’s not hard to do the right thing. You can socially distance yourselves from others and maintain good hygiene standards. While this might be “inconvenient” to you, all I have to say is get over it. It’s a slap in the face to all health care workers, to people who have lost their loved ones from Covid simply because it’s “inconvenient” to you and because you don’t care.

Now I completely understand that the lockdowns can benefit those 1%, the rich, the upper class. I understand that people with privilege don’t care if we go into a lockdown. I know that people treat lockdowns like a holiday while others are fighting to live. To those who are oblivious to the destruction that lockdown has caused some individuals, families and businesses, wake up. Some people are struggling, losing their homes, aren’t eligible for government support and are trying to make ends meet.

Whilst the government is certainly part of the blame for Covid outbreaks and lockdowns, you, Australians could have done better too. Now I’m not perfect either but to all Australians I ask you, please support Australian businesses. The world has supporting these “I want” buying behaviours and will purchase things just because they “want” them rather than having an actual “need” for them. Stop buying from these e-commerce giants, or at least try to reduce your spending with them. Amazon are known to exploit their workers and please if you don’t even know this just Google “reasons not to shop at Amazon”. Small businesses could have done better throughout the lockdowns, survived perhaps, if people supported small businesses rather than these big multinational corporations. If everyone bought local, supported local jobs, we would have done better. So yes, we are somewhat to blame. And rather than trying to argue that or find reasons to put the blame elsewhere. It’s true. Australians should have bought and continue to buy from Australia.

Don’t get me wrong, I am angry at the government too and especially for their lack of empathy and accountability. I am sorry that they are not being the leaders we need. They are not representing us or looking after our best interests. It is hard to find a solution that suits everyone, I get that. But the middle and lower socioeconomic classes are struggling and it’s almost as if some of these politicians are turning a blind eye. So again, to those people at the protests, if you wanted change from our leaders and the government you failed to try and win over those angry at you. In my opinion, you fighting for “freedom” were not fighting for the freedom of ALL Australians, primarily just yourselves. If you acknowledged the seriousness of Covid and how people end up in intense care and thousands dying around the globe, that this virus is real and deadly especially to those who are imunocompromised, maybe, you would have been heard properly. If you fight for all Australians and want to protect all Australians and protested with these simple safety measures, perhaps you would have been heard by everyone.

For now, I do hear you, but I will not support your cause, for you do not truly understand what freedom looks like for all Australians. I genuinely don’t like talking about political issues but if anyone made it to the end the main message I want to send is: even if you are so set in your ways, in your beliefs, always be open to listening and try to understand everything you can about the other side, those who might not agree with you. Because without all the information you can possibly get, you will never find the best outcome for everyone.